Civilian contractor shot dead on US base in Iraq

BAGHDAD 
A civilian contractor was shot and killed Sunday on an American military base in the Iraqi city of Tikrit and a U.S. soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, the military said.

The contractor was shot at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Speicher, the military said in a statement.

Houston-based KBR confirmed the man killed was one of its employees, 27-year-old Lucas Vinson from Louisiana.

"As the Army is leading the investigation of the incident, KBR is not providing further comment at this time," spokeswoman Heather Browne said in an e-mailed statement. "We are of course fully cooperating with the Army on its continued investigation."

Maj. Derrick Cheng, a public affairs officer, said a soldier had been detained in connection with the incident, but that he could not divulge any more information while the investigation is ongoing.

"We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the individual," he said.

A statement by the family e-mailed to The Associated Press by Vinson's brother, Wesley Vinson, said that Lucas Vinson was from Leesville, Louisiana.

"He was a friend to everyone who knew him, a peace-maker, a great big brother with a heart of gold," said the statement. The family said he loved to travel and wanted to visit as many countries as he could.

Wesley Vinson declined to comment beyond what was in the statement.

The U.S. military makes wide use of contractors in Iraq for security, technical support and supply functions.

KBR is the primary support contractor in Iraq, providing troops with essential services, including housing, meals, mail delivery and laundry.

As of June 30, 1,395 civilian employees of U.S. government contractors had been killed in Iraq, according to an AP count.